January 16, 2016. (Eagle News)
— In the face of the most recent allegations being hurled against the Iglesia
Ni Cristo, particularly those coming from expelled INC member Mrs. Lolita
“Lottie” Hemedez and her group, the INC released an official statement on
Friday (January 15) to shed light on these “malicious” claims.
“The Iglesia Ni Cristo
Administration vehemently denies the malicious allegations being hurled against
us. The INC leadership will never do anything that can ruin the reputation of
the Church,” INC spokesperson Bro. Edwil Zabala said citing the INC’s
official statement in reaction to the cases of estafa and falsification of
public documents filed by Hemedez.
“We have firm belief in our
country’s justice system, and since we have taken legal measures, let us allow
justice to take its course in accordance with the law. We have complete trust
that just like in the previous lawsuits against us, the truth will eventually come
out and it will be revealed who are telling the truth,” he said.
The INC also said that it
would proceed with the proper legal proceedings for the ejectment of Hemedez
and sibling Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo from the INC housing at no. 36
Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City.
“In the event that Lottie and
company will refuse to vacate peacefully and voluntarily, the leadership will
have to push through with its eviction case against her,” Zabala said.
Zabala said the INC
administration also reiterated its position that obedience to God’s teachings
in the Bible takes precedence over everything else, and that “obedience is
thicker than blood” citing a verse in the Bible, Matthew 12:47-50.
The INC spokesperson stressed
the INC administration’s position that the Church was not a “family
corporation” and that Lottie and Angel were not exempt from following the INC
doctrines, all of which are based on the Bible.
Hemedez had claimed in a press
conference on Friday to select media people (Rappler, Inquirer and ABS-CBN)
that it was her brother’s responsibility to take care of them, referring to INC
Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
Zabala said Hemedez and her
group should be reminded of the primary responsibility of any INC member which
was to follow the Church’s teachings, including submission to the Church
administration which is also based on the Bible.
“We wish to reiterate that the
INC is not a family corporation. It is a religion that stands firm in obeying
God’s teachings in the Bible. Hence, even the regulations implemented within
the Church are based on the Bible,” he said.
“Brother Eduardo V. Manalo,
being the Church’s Executive Minister, has sworn to uphold these principles,
even in matters pertaining to his caring for his relatives, siblings and
mother. As the Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 12:47-50 (The
Message): While he was still talking to the crowd, his mother and
brothers showed up. They were outside trying to get a message to him. Someone
told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are out here, wanting to speak with you.”
Jesus didn’t respond directly, but said, “Who do you think my mother and
brothers are?” He then stretched out his hand toward his disciples. “Look
closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The
person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother,”
the official INC statement read.
“Thus, the supreme
expression of caring for them is by teaching and leading them in obedience to
the will of our Lord God. The other relatives and siblings of Brother
Eduardo Manalo can attest that he has been upholding this duty along with the
provision of their material needs. However, if and when any of them refuses to
obey the teachings, he also must and will enforce the disciplinary actions as
decreed in the Bible.” he added, reading the INC’s official statement.
Earlier, on Thursday, January
14, the INC held a press conference regarding its decision to file an ejectment
case against the expelled siblings for their continuous activities that
threaten the very security of the compound, including the security and peace of
mind of the INC residents still living near the area. The INC’s Tandang
Sora property was near the INC’s Central Office.
Zabala and INC lawyer Moises
Tolentino Jr., stressed that the entire property, including the lot at no. 36
Tandang Sora Avenue belonged to the INC, and that the INC Executive Ministers’
siblings were staying there as a “privilege” given to them while they are still
INC members.
They said that this privilege
ended with the siblings’ expulsion from the Church on July 23, 2015.
Zabala and Tolentino said that
all the facts and documents regarding the INC’s ownership of the place will be
presented in the proper forum, which is the court. (Eagle News
Service)
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